Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 117: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to handle the delay in processing of student maintenance grants. [33610/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 126: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm whether a delay will occur with regards to the processing of student maintenance grants. [33609/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 126 together.

The process of paying third level or further education grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC.

The timing of payment varies between the 66 awarding bodies depending on a number of variables including the volume of applications received, staffing resources and whether or not properly completed application forms have been received.

This year's student grant schemes include a number of significant administrative and service improvements aimed at addressing the issue of delays which include an initial roll-out of a new on-line grant application system. The new system, introduced in both Irish and English, is already now operating in 11 grant awarding authorities. Building on this initial phase for the current academic year, the ultimate aim will be to make it available to all applicants nationally.

The on-line system is part of a package of administrative and service improvements brought to the Student Grant Schemes this year. Key among the other changes are a complete overhaul of the grant application form, streamlined administrative processes, advance payments to awarding authorities and, most importantly, the publication of the grant schemes some two months earlier than last year.